Pitt's middle linebacker Scott McKillop (6' 2" 240) had a big game in Pitt's 20-16 loss at Rutgers and as a result has been named the Big East Conference's Defensive Player of the Week.

McKillop had a game high 16 tackles, 1 and ½ sacks, 2 and ½ tackles for a loss, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, an interception and two pass breakups in the road game against Rutgers. On one play he sacked Rutgers quarterback Jabu Lovelace, forcing a fumble and recovering it on his own. The sack and fumble recovery set up Pitt's lone touchdown of the game.

On the year McKillop is averaging 14.4 total tackles per game to lead the nation. The last Panther to lead the nation in a statistical category was wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. McKillop is also No. 2 in the nation in solo tackles averaging 7.8 tackles per game.